Update: First casualties reported from latest rocket attack on Iraqi base hosting US troops

BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:20 P.M.) – The joint military operations command in Iraq announced on Saturday morning that the Taji Base, which includes foreign forces north of Baghdad, was attacked by multiple rockets.

According to the joint military operations command, at least two military personnel were wounded by the the rocket strikes.

The two military personnel are currently in critical condition and have since been transferred to a hospital to treat their wounds.

The Iraqi News Agency quoted a spokesman for the Joint Operations Command, Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji, as saying, “The initial result of the bombing is two wounded people from the Air Defense Command; they are in critical condition

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/update-first-casualties-reported-from-latest-rocket-attack-on-iraqi-base-hosting-us-troops/

HE DID IT AGAIN! Trump Takes Out Top Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander in Iraq – General Siamand Mashhadani Killed in US Strike

Earlier this week Iranian backed militia killed two US soldiers and a female UK soldier at Taji military base in Iraq.

Last night the US responded killing at least 18 militia members in Iraq including Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander General Siamand Mashhadani.

Hey guys, looks like we just killed another senior Iranian military commander. Sorry to interrupt. https://t.co/zOK9wyjbRl

— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) March 13, 2020

General Siamand Mashhadani, one of the #Iranian Revolutionary Guards Top Commander , was killed by the #American airstrike in #Iraq.

#BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/b71xzGdPin

— Botin Kurdistani (@kurdistannews24) March 13, 2020

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/03/he-did-it-again-trump-takes-out-top-iranian-revolutionary-guards-commander-in-iraq-general-siamand-mashhadani-killed-in-us-strike/

US airstrikes against Kara’ib Hizbollah are well-warranted

The United States launched multiple airstrikes against Iranian-led Shia militias across Iraq in response to the latest rocket attack on the base at Taji that houses coalition troops. In the Taji attack, two U.S. and one U.K medical specialist were killed, with 12 wounded, five of them seriously.

The American airstrikes began at 1:00 a.m. Baghdad time and targeted the Kata’eb Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia that has been frequently launching attacks at bases housing U.S. and coalition soldiers. The airstrikes targeted multiple weapons storage facilities used by the militia.

The Pentagon released a statement saying the airstrikes were proportional, defensive in nature and a deterrent to future attacks by the militia.

“Earlier this evening, the United States conducted defensive precision strikes against Kata’ib Hizbollah (KH) facilities across Iraq,” the statement said. “These strikes targeted five weapon storage facilities to significantly degrade their ability to conduct future attacks against Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) coalition forces. These weapons storage facilities include facilities that housed weapons used to target U.S. and coalition troops.”

“These strikes were defensive, proportional, and in direct response to the threat posed by Iranian-backed Shia militia groups (SMG) who continue to attack bases hosting OIR coalition forces,” the Pentagon added.

https://sofrep.com/news/us-airstrikes-against-karaib-hizbollah-are-well-warranted/

Seven arrested following drugs raid in Cospicua

A police raid in Cospicua on Friday led to the arrest of seven individuals over suspicions of drug trafficking.

The police said the raid by the drugs squad, assisted by the special intervention unit at a location in Triq Alessandra led to the discovery of individuals allegedly engaging in trafficking of various illicit drugs, including cocaine and heroin.

The suspects, four men and three women, are aged between 18 and 47.

The seven were taken to police headquarters for further questioning.

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/seven-arrested-following-drugs-raid-in-cospicua.778076

130 countries, territories restricting entry from virus-hit Korea

A total of 130 countries and territories were imposing an entry ban or strict quarantine procedures for travelers from South Korea as part of their moves to contain the new coronavirus Saturday, up three countries from a day earlier, according to the foreign ministry.

As of Saturday morning, 61 countries and territories, including Uzbekistan and Bosnia-Herzegovina, were barring the entry of travelers who have visited South Korea in the previous two weeks, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Uzbekistan was one of the three countries that introduced new border control measures against South Korea on the day. Starting Sunday, the entry of all non-Uzbekistan nationals traveling from Korea will be prohibited for two weeks due to the novel coronavirus infection.

Under their own new quarantine measures, Eritrea and Brazil will also start to quarantine travelers from overseas.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2020/03/120_286180.html

>>8413686

> trafficking of various illicit drugs, including cocaine and heroin.

More then just weed it would seem

Apple temporarily shuts stores outside China to fight virus

Tech giant Apple is closing its stores outside of China for two weeks and will only sell online as part of efforts to fight the global viral pandemic.

"In our workplaces and communities, we must do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19," CEO Tim Cook tweeted Saturday. "Apple will be temporarily closing all stores outside of Greater China until March 27 and committing $15M to help with worldwide recovery."

In a lengthier online statement, Cook said that Apple's stores in China have all now reopened and what the company has learned there has helped it develop "best practices that are assisting enormously in our global response."

One of the lessons Apple learned in China is that "the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus's transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance," he said. That's why the company is taking new steps to protect workers and customers as the infection rate rises in other places.

Apple's online stores remain open. Workers will continue to be paid and office staff will work remotely if possible, Cook said in the statement issued Friday.

The company has hundreds of retail stores worldwide, including 42 in China that closed or operated with reduced hours at the height of the country's outbreak.

https://www.daily-sun.com/post/469204/Apple-temporarily-shuts-stores-outside-China-to-fight-virus

Catholic churches preparing to suspend Mass

Roman Catholic churches in England are "preparing for a time" when the celebration of Mass may have to "come to an end", the Catholic leader in England and Wales has said.

Catholics have an obligation to go to Mass every Sunday.

But large gatherings could be banned in the UK from as early as next weekend, as the coronavirus continues to spread.

The Church of England is also following these procedures, as well as refraining from passing collection plates around.

The Muslim Council of Britain has urged mosques, madrasas and Muslim community centres to follow the governments hygiene practices.

It also urged mosques to have contingency plans in place for Ramadan - which begins in the second half of April - as it may have to suspend mass gatherings.

The United Synagogue asked its members to refrain from shaking hands and kissing religious artefacts, such as communal siddurim, which is a Jewish prayer book.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said Catholic churches were "adjusting" to minimise the spread of infection.

https://www.daily-sun.com/post/469234/Catholic-churches-preparing-to-suspend-Mass

Many Of America’s Most Powerful Political Leaders Are In High-Risk Age Category For Coronavirus

Many of America’s most powerful politicians are in the age categories most at risk in the coronavirus pandemic.

Data from countries further along in the coronavirus process than the United States show that fatality rates are significantly higher for adults older than 60. Italy’s aging population is thought to be one reason why the number of coronavirus deaths in the country is so high.

Early data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention put the fatality rate of coronavirus patients ages 70 to 79 at 8% and 14.8% for those 80 and older, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

In South Korea, fatality rates are lower than in China, but still high for those 60 and older. As of Wednesday, the coronavirus fatality rate in South Korea was 1.5% for people in their 60s, 4.3% for people in their 70s and 7.2% for people 80 and above, Business Insider reported.

https://dailycaller.com/2020/03/13/congress-political-leaders-coronavirus-age-fatality-rate/

Feds target violent Mexican cartel bringing meth to Michigan, elsewhere

A Mexican drug cartel that flooded the market with cheap, nearly pure methamphetamine has virtually wiped out any need for makeshift meth labs in West Michigan and elsewhere.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced Wednesday, March 11, it disrupted Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion with over 500 arrests of cartel associates in the “single largest strike by U.S. authorities strike against CJNG, and this is just the beginning,” DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon said in a statement.

Steve VerDow, assistant special agent in charge of the DEA’s Detroit office, said in Grand Rapids that the ruthless cartel brought drugs, including methamphetamine and heroin, in large amounts to the U.S. About 25 suspects have been indicted for crimes within his office’s jurisdiction of Michigan and Ohio, he said.

I-94 serves as a distribution route between Chicago and Detroit, the DEA said.

The arrests are part of six-month investigation called “Project Python. Law enforcement agencies at local, state, federal and international levels took part.

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2020/03/feds-target-violent-mexican-cartel-bringing-meth-to-michigan-elsewhere/

>>8413845

Rectally no doubt …KEK